Machine for making cement building-blocks.



No. 844,711. PATENTED FEB. '19, 1907.

I A. H. GOOMBS,

MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDI NG BLOCKS.

' APELIOATION FILE-D AUG. 11; 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

U72" &za-fl (1901253 THE "cams PETERS co. wasnmcruu, b. c.

No 844,711.- PATENTBD FBB.19, 1.907.

v A. H. GOOMBS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOCKS.-

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 11 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1H5 uomzrs PETERS C0., wAsHmarON. n. c.

No. 844,711. I PATENTED FEB.419, I907.

A. H. GOOMBS. V MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOGKS..

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1906.

- 10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1m: NORRIS PETERS-CO" wnsumorou, u. 5

' Nv0.844,71-1. v PATENTBD EEE. 19,1907.

A. E. GOOMBS. MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1906.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Tn: NORRIS PETERS can, wAsl-nuaroninc No. 844,711. PATENTED'FBB. 19, 19 7. AfH'. coon/1.13s.

MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOGKS.

' APPLIOATION FILED AUG.11, 190s.-

10 SHEETS-EHBET 790 r: NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, v. c

PATENTBD FEB. 19, 1907.

A. H.000MBs. I MACHINE FOR MAKINGUEMENT BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

ru; NORRIS PETERS co., wAsHmarvN, z:v c.

No. 844,711. PATENTBD FEB. 19, 1907.

, H. GOOMBS. MACHINE FOR MAKING GEMENTBUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED'AUG.11, 1906.

10' SHEETS-:SHEET a.

n4: NORRIS PETERS co. WASHINGTON, n. c

. PATENTED'FEB. 19, 1907.

I A. H.'U00MBS. MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOGKS.

V 10 sums-numb;

APPLICATION FILED AUG.11,.190B-.

n: NORRIS pin-nu co., wAsI-luvmou, pv c.

PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907..

A H. GOGMBS. MACHINE FOR MAKING CEMENT BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1906.

1n: NORRIS rrrnis cm. wunmnnm, 04 c.

UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. COOMBS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OLGA S. COOMBS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed August 11, 1906. Serial No. 330,123.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. COOMBS, a citizen of the Unted States, res;d.ng at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinos, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Cement Building-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in block-forming machines for making cement bu. lding-blocks and the like, and has for its object to provide an automatic block-forming machine which will rapidly and successfully perform all of the operations of filling, removing, opening, and restoring blockmolds in proper timed relation and under conditions favorable to the production of un. form and satisfactory products.

Herein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side eleva tion w.th the material-feeding device in midposition. Fig. 2 is a s m.lar view with the material-feed device in one extreme of position. Fig. 3 is an elevation from the opposite side w th the material-feed device in the other extreme of position. 4 is a front elevation of the machine. F.-.g. 5 is a rear elevation. Fig. 6 is a top plan view. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a similar section on line 9 9 of 7. Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of the'feed mechansm' on line 10 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same devices. Fig. 12 is a section of the front end of the machine, taken just above the moldcarrier. Figs. 13, 14, and 15 are details of construction of the mold and appurtenances. Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19 are details of a latch device. Fig. 20 is a detail of a clutch-shifting cam. Figs. 21 and 22 are sections of clutches. F g. 23 is a section on line 23 of Fig. 2. 24 is a detail of a clutch shown in plan in Fig. 6. Fig. 25 is an enlarged detail of a cam construction.

Throughout the drawings like numerals of reference refer alwa s to like parts.

In general machine provides, in association with a single power-shaft, materialfeedng devices for delivering measured quantties of matenal from a material-reservoir to a properly-postoned mold and evenly. distributing said material in the mold,

a tamper, timed in respect to the operations of the feed devices, for compacting the fed material in the positioned mold after each feeding operation, and in association with such devices means which operate automatically when the mold is filled to a predetermined or proper degree to disconnect the mold feeding and tamping means from the power-shaft and to connect with the powershaft hitherto idle instrumentalities which act upon the filled mold. These last-mentioned instrumentalities thus connected with the power-shaft operate to remove the filled mold from filling position and locate it properly to be opened for the delivery of its molded contents and at the same time to positon in filling position another hitherto empty mold, in such operation closing the hitherto empty mold, there being provision made for semi-automatically positioning in the mold a pallet-board. At the completion of this divisional c 'cle of operation the instrumentalities acting upon the filled mold automatically effects a restoration of the power connections initially established, so that the machine may automatically repeat the operations heretofore described with respect to the mold last positioned to be filled. Means are also provided for automatically opening the filled mold at a proper time.

Referring now to the drawings, indicates in general a frame of any suitable configuration whercin the working elements of the machine may be supported in position. For convenience in description I will refer to the end of the machine shown in elevation in Fig. 4 as the front end of the machine, the opposite end as the rear end of the machine, and the side of the machine, respectively shown in Figs. 1 and 3, as the right and left sides of the machine. Furthermore, for clearness of description and ease of reference I may particularize as to location of parts in the specific embodiment shown, although it will be understood that changes in location may be readily made in the parts described.

The power-shaft connectioha-At the rear end of the frame is provided a power-shaft 31, bearing the pulleys 32 and 33 and having connection through miter-gearing 34 with the counter-shaft 35, in vertical alinement with which is arranged a counter-shaft section 36, independent of the shaft 35, but

adapted to be connected therewith for rotation through the instrumentality of a suitable clutch 37. (Illustrated in detail in Fig. 22.) The shaft 36 is part of the power system for the mold-moving instrumentali ties to be described. Upon the end of the powershaft 31 toward the left of the machine is loosely mounted a gear 38, adapted to be connected for rotation with the shaft through the instrumentality of a clutch 39. The gear 38 constitutes part of a train of gearing 40, which serves to drive at suitable speed two coincidently but oppositely rotating camshafts 41 and 42.

T he tamper siructurc.-In the upper portion of the machine is provided a tamper arranged for cooperation with a suitablypo sitioned mold and means for feeding and.

distributing material to the mold arranged to be operated in proper timed relation through the instrumentality of cams upon the cam-shafts. 43 indicates a tamperactuating scroll-cam upon the cam-shaft 41, cooperating with the primary rack-bar 44, arranged for vertical reciprocation in a suitable guide 45, secured to the frame. The cam 43 is preferably of such configuration as to give to the primary rack-bar 44 a quick elevation through its upstroke and a long dwell in elevated position and to then permit its abrupt descent to lowest position under the influence of gravity. With the primary rack-bar 44 meshes a gear 46 in train with a pinion 47, carried by a shaft-section 48, upon which is mounted a movable element of a clutch 49, the remaining element whereof is fixed to a shaft-section 50. The shaft-section 50 alines with shaft 48 and bears a gear member 51, illustrated as an integral part of the fixed clutch member, which meshes with the secondary rack-bar 52, to the lower extremity whereof is secured the tamper 53. Suitable guides 54 are provided for the rackbar 52 to guide it in vertical movement. It will thus be seen that connection is provided, as long as the clutch 47 is operating, between the primary rack-bar and the secondary rack-bar, whereby the elevation of the primary rack-bar by the cam causes the elevation at a more rapid rate of the secondary rack-bar carrying the tamper. I provide means for operating the clutch 49 to sever the connection between the primary and secondary rack-bars to permit the relatively free descent of the primary and secondary rack-bars at the instant that the cam 43 frees the primary rack-bar for descent. To this end 1 provide a shipper-lever 55, centrally pivoted, as by loose connection at 56, with the shaft of gear 46 and at its opposite extremities connected, respectively, with the shiftable member of the clutch 49 and with an operating-lever 57. The lever 57 1s pivoted, as at 58, and at its lower extremity there is a pin 59, engaging in a cam-slot 61 opening communication between pocket I l I l l of a clutch-releasing cam 60 on the camshaft 41. The deflected portion of the cam slot 61 (shown in Fig. 3) is so related to the cam 43 as to open the clutch as the terminal point of the cam 43 passes from beneath the primary rack-bar 44. l/Vhen the clutch is thus operated, obviously the rack-bars 52 and 44 may descend independently, the rackbar 44 dropping always the same distance and the rack-bar 52 dropping until it tamps the material in the mold. The elevation of the tamper above the bottom of its preceding stroke is, however, always uniform.

The feeding mcc72.ani.s:m. indicates a hopperanouthed reservoir in front of the tamper extending down into a stationary guideway 71, which has at its rear end a hopper-like feed-mouth 7 2 in the path of descent of the tamper 53 and below which in operation is located the mold to be 'lillcd. The lower end of the reservoir 7 O is in front of the feed-mouth 72 of the guideway, to be out of alinement therewith. Within the guideway 71 for reciprocation from position in vertical register with the reservoir 70 to position in register with the feed-mouth 72 1 provide a material-measuring drawer structure 73 and a distributing-slide 74, these parts being of construction best illustrated in i igs. 1(1 and 11. The drawer member 73 compr' es the drawer proper or pocket 75, from which. extends toward the front of the machine a table 76, adapted, when the pocket 75 is moved forward from position of registration with tie reservoir 70 to registration with the fcedmouth 7 2 for the mold, to close the lower end of the reservoir 70. The slide member 7 4 is a thin sheet of somewhat greater area longitudinally of the machine than the pocket 75 of the drawer structure 73 and is arranged between the bottom of the guide 71 and ti c said drawer structure to be movable independently of the latter. At its sides tlie slide 74 extends beyond the drawer structure 73 and is rigidly connected with rack-bars 77, preferably provided with flanges 78, engaging coacting flanges of the side members of guide 7 1 to receive support therefrmn. Lostmotion connection is e'll'ectcd between. tllc slide and the drawer by means of pins 7t), can ried by the rack-bars 7 7 and engaging in elongated slots in the side of tile table struc ture 76 of the drawer member. The lost-motion connection is such that as the slide is moved from forwardmost position, Fig. 11, toward the rear of the machine it advances beneath the drawer structure to position to close the lower side of tlie drawer, and ti on through engagement of its pins 79 with tie ends of slots 80 it carries forward tlic drawer until both the pocket 75 and slide 74 are above the feed-mouth 72. On the reverse movement the lost motion permits the slide to move back to position shown in il r 7, 4 i3 and the feed-mouth- 72 before the pins 79 enage the forward ends of slots 80 to return tt 6 drawer structure to forward position. To hold the drawer structure against being frictio'nally carried by the slide, I provide a movable stop 81, carried by a lever 82, pivoted to guide 71 and having a nose 83, which is interposed in the path of movement of the rackflange 78. As shown in Fig. 11, when the drawer structure is forward in normal position the stops 81 hold it positively against movement; but as the pin 79 reaches the rear end of slot 80 the flange 78 lifts the lever-nose 83, elevating the stop and releasing the drawer for movement with the slide. A corresponding stop 81 carried by lever 82, having nose 83, acts in like manner on the forward movement of the slide to restrain movement of the-drawer. For moving the rack-bars 77 I provide gear-segments 84, cooperating with said rack-bars 77 and mounted on a common shaft 85, which carries also pinions 86, engaged by rack-bars 87, sliding in suitable guideways 88, provided on opposite sides of the frame and extending rearwardly toward the cam-shaft 42. Connecting the sliding rack-bars 87 is a transverse shaft 89, towhich are pivotally connected links 90 and 91, the former having at its rear extremity an open fork coacting with the .cam 92 upon the camshaft 42, and the link 91, having at its end an oblong loop, with the rear closed end of which coacts a cam 93 upon the cam-shaft 41. These parts are so proportioned and arrange d that during the portion of the revolution of the shafts 41 and 42 when the tamper-actuating cam 43 is elevating the tamper 53 to a position clear of the path of the drawer 73 the cams 92 and 93 are both inactive, with the drawer standing in position to register with the feed-reservoir. During a succeeding interval of, say, two-fifths of the revolution of shaft 41 the cam 92 first rapidly operates upon the fork of its link 90' to throw the rack-bars 97 forwardly of the maciine, producing a rearward movement of the drawer and slide, and then the cam 93, rotating in the opposite direction, operates to rapidly pull its associated loop of link 91 and the connected rack-bars 87 toward their rearward limit of movement. Such cam actions are timed to begin just before the tampercam 43 lifts the primary rack-bar 44 to highest position and are completed before the dwell arc of the tamper-cam passes the I said rack-bar. Thus commencement of the movement of the feed-drawer before the tamper quite completes its upstroke is important in the particular disclosure 1n connection with the mold-opening operations and will be hereafter adverted to. I

The connection-shifting det'tces.'I he subcycle of operation, which consists in the introduction and distribution of material to the mold to be filled and the tamping of each successively-supplied body of material, continues until the mold. is filled, and I supp y means for automatically disabling the material supplying and tamping means when the mold is filled and at the same time effecting operative connection between the moldchanging elements of the machine and the power devices, which I will now describe. In association with the clutch 37, which, it will be remembered, controls the operative connection of the moldanoving means with the power-shaft, and the clutch 39, which controls the association of the mold-filling means with said power-shaft, I provide a bell-crank shipper-lever 95, controlling both of said clutches and pivoted, as at 96, so that when its lower arm is elevated the clutch 39 is rendered operative and the clutch 37 disabled, while when its lower arm is depressed it renders operative the clutch 37 and disables clutch 39, thus making the operation of said clutches at all times alternative. 97 indicates a double-armed lever, acting like a bell-crank lever, having its one extremity acting upon the double inclined enlargement 95 of the horizontal arm of the double shipper-lever 95 and its opposite extremity acting on the upri ht arm of the said shippen lever. An extension 98 is secured to the lever 97, projecting toward the left side of the machine, and the parts are so arranged that when said extension is depressed the actuating-lever 97 acts upon the shipper-lever 95 to press the vertical arm of the shipper-lever toward the left of the machine and elevate its horizontal arm, thereby operatively connecting the elements of clutch 39 and disabling clutch 37, while when said extension 98 is lifted the lever 97 depresses the horizontal arm of the shipper-lever 95, causing the operation of clutch 37 and the disabling of clutch 39. The double incline 95 on the shipper-lever is provided for the purpose of resisting to some extent movement of the lever 97 from its one limit of movement to the other to prevent accidental change of position of the shipper-lever. 'lhe exten sion 98 of the actuating-lever 97 is connected by link 99 with the elongated lever 100, extending along the left side of the frame and pivoted, as at 101., at the front end of the frame, said lever having connected thereto intermediate its ends a link 102, connected with the lever 103, extending transversely across the top of the machine-in front of and in proximity to .the secondary rack-bar 52 for the tamper, 104 indicates a trip-latch, of construction to be described in detail hereafter, carried by the lever 103 and provided with an adjustable latch-block 104, which is constantly pressed in engagement with the smooth front of the rack-bar 52. Upon the rack-bar is secured a stud or projection 52, (see Fig 2,) which is so located in respect to the latch-block 104 that when a mold is com- ICO pletely filled and the rack-bar thereafter elevated a predetermined distance for another tamping stroke before quite completing its elevation it strikes the block 104 of the latch 104, and, lifting said latch bodily, elevates the lever 103 and through the associ ated link-and-lever connections 102, 100, 99, 98, and 97 depresses the lower end of the shipper-lever 95, opening clutch 39 to disable the filling mechanism and closing clutch 37 to effect operative connection of the drivingshaft with the siaft-section 36, associated with the mold-changing mechanism to be hereafter described. So far as its operation heretofore described is concerned, the latch member 104 might be simply an adjustable hook pressed in any desired manner against the rack-bar; but to enable said latch to perform a function to be hereafter described I provide a special construction, as illustrated in detail in Figs. 16 and 19. The central portion of the area of lever 103, whereon the latch member 104 is mounted, is mad e round,

as shown in section in Fig. 16, while adjacent the ends of the bearing for the latch 104 the shaft has its upper surface only rounded and its lower corners squared, the latch made with the central bearing part surrounding the round portion of the shaft 98, and adjacent its ends where it coacts with the partlysquared portion of the shaft it is cut away, as shown at 104, to leave a substantially vertical shoulder for coaction with the squared lower corner of the shaft 103: From the construction shown it will be apparent that the iatch. member may be to some extent rotated in a direction to press its latch-block 104 against the rack-bar 52 in rear thereof under the influence of a spring 105, but that when sought to be rotated in the opposite direction its vertical shoulder finding bearing against the square lower corner of the shaft 103 will effectually lock the parts together, so that rotation of the latch member in a direction to withdraw the lock 104 from contact with the rack-bar 52 is very limited. The latch member is provided with a nose 1.06, projecting forwardly toward the front of the machine, which when depressed will 00- casion the locking of the latch member against rotation to the shaft 103 in the manner heretofore described. Said nose 106 is instrumental in enabling the latch to perform a function hereinafter adverted to.

The 'molcl chcnging m ec7zan-ism'.1 will now describe the mechanism thrown into activity by the shifting of the clutches in the manner heretofore described. The shaft 36, to which is connected the fixed member of clutch 37, has affixed thereto one element of a multiplying gear-train 110, (best shown in Fig. 9,) which communicates power to a gearwheel 111, carried by a shaft 112, which extends up to position below the drawer-guide affixed thereto a mold-carrying table 113, a suitable distance below the feeding-mouth 72, and a disk 114, located immediately below said feed-mouth and provided with two apertures 114". At diametrically opposite points below apertures 114 of the disk 11.4 the mold-table 113 is provided with hinged leaves 115, pivoted, as at 116, to the rigid portion of the table, and each bearing a mold of the character to be hereinafter described. Associated with each leaf 115 is roller 116, arranged to run upon a cam-track 117, which provides a horizontal arcuate surface toward the rear end of the machine, on which the roller 116 may run to maintain the leaf 115 in horizontal position, inclined. side surfaces which gradually turn from a horizontal plane to a vertical lower plane, and a verticallyarranged arcuate front surface. The path then provided for the leaf roller-bearings such that when followed by a roller 1v 16 of a leaf 115 the leaf held horizontal by the roller when its mold ispositioned to be filled traverses the rear horizontal arc of the track, at one side of its path permitted to graduzdly swing down to vertical position, as illustrated toward the front of the machine in Fig. 7, and continuing its cycle is on the other side of its path restored to the initial horizontal position shown toward the rear of the machine in Fig. 7. In practice the mold-tahle makes a half-revolution during each cycle of operation.

T716 m0Zds.The molds (generally indicated at 120 in the drawings) are preferably arranged on end on the respective tableleaves 115. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 15, in the construction of the mold I provide, in association with each table-leaf 1 15 at right angles thereto, a board 121 and a grillelike frame 122. In suitable slots 123 in the ends of the frame are arranged pivot-rods 124 for wings 125. From each wing 125 extends a fin 126, having therein an inclined slot 127, with which engages a pin 128, carried by an L-shaped member 129, which passes through the open frame 122 and has its angular end inturned and engaged in a recess 130 of a cross-head 130, mounted to slide upon a stud 131, projecting at right angles centrally from the plate 121. 132 indicates a lip projecting from the head 130 for purposes to be described. To provide for relative adjustment of the wings 125 to in crease or decrease the distance between them, each pivot-rod 124 has secured thereto connectors 133, to which take shafts 134, each screw-threaded at opposite ends, 111111-Sl12tft5 geared in common to a short actuating-shaft 135, which when rotated communicates its motion to the shafts 134 to cause the connectors 133, and consequently the wing-bearing pivot-rods 124, to approach or recede from each other, as the case may be. To accom- 1 f the feed mechanism and has suitably} modate this adjustment, each. of the 1..

shaped members 129 is slotted, as at 136, for -the reception of an adj usting-screw 137 secured in the block 130. The closed lower end of the mold is provided with a faci 140, Fig. 13, adjustable vertically with reference to the filling position of the mold by suitable screws 141 taking through the table-leaf 115, and the 'side board 121 and face-forming wings .are covered by removable facings 142 and 143, respectively. The side of the mold most remote from the aXis of rotation of the table is adapted to be closed by a palletboard 144, abutting against the ends of the facings 143 and engaged by latch members 145, taking through elongated slots 146 in the wings 125 and eXteriorly pivoted upon studs 147, which have for adjustment pinand-slot connection with the wings 125. Springs 148 press the latches constantly inward. It will now be apparent that the mold is adjustable in every direction as to dimensions, though of course in its adjustments the facings are necessarily changed, and on the pallet-board 144 used in forming relative y thin blocks I nroride feet 149 for a purpose to be described.

It will be apparent in the construction described that the reciprocation of the crosshead 130 upon the stud 131 respectively away from and toward the frame 122 will, through the members 129 and their pin-andslot connection with the fins 126 of the face forming wings 125 of the mold, efi ect the respective opening and closing of the mold. To insure closing of the mold when in filling position, I so arrange the parts that the end of the cross-head 130 abuts against aflange 112 of the shaft construction 112 when the mold is in filling position.

It will be understood that the mold structure when in filling position completely fills the space between the table 113 and the apron or disk 1 14 and registers with an aperture 114 in said disk.

For cooperation withthe mold I provide semi-automatic means for inserting the pallet boards 144 in the molds as they move to filling position after having been previously opened.

In the drawings, Fig. 12, 150 indicates in general a pallet-board guide secured to the frame on the left side of the machine and providing a vertical wall 151, a horizontal shaft 152, and a yielding finger 153, pressed by a spring 154. The shelf 152 has its free edge concentric with the rear arc of the track 117, while the wall 151 and finger 153 eccentrically approach the axis of rotation of the mold. When an open mold approaches its closing position, a pallet-board is placed with its edge under the latch 145 of the lastapproaching wing 125 and its lower edge resting on the shelf 152. As the mold advances the front free edge of the palletit nearly reaches the leading wing 125 of the moving mold,while the spring-pressed finger 153 is forced back by said leading wing of the mold. As the mold reaches its final position the finger 153 is passed by the leading moldwing 125 and snaps inward under its spring tension, striking the free edge of the palletboard a sharp blow, which drives it into engagement with the latch 145 of the leading wing, completing the preparation of the mold for the filling operation.

B lock-receiving detices.-For the reception of molded blocks I provide a table 155, mounted for rotation upon a shaft 156 and riding on suitable antifriction-rollers 1.57, said table being provided on its under side with a gear 158, meshing with the gear 111 and rotating coincidentally therewith, but in the opposite direction. Upon said table are supported platforms 159, secured to the table by parallel links 160 and yieldingly held in elevated position by spring-checks 161 or equivalent devices of suitable construction. The arrangement is such that the links 160 never come quite to a dead- 'center, so that upon the application of the position a platform 159 stands directly beneath the filled mold, so that as the mbld is opened the contained block upon its palletboard 144 is deposited upon the properlypositioned platform, which yields inwardly and carries the completed block to the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2.

Jllcld-0pening deoices.l\4anifestly the filled mold may best be opened to deposit its contents upon the receiving-platform after the mold-moving parts have conic to rest and before the commencement of movement of the mold-moving parts in the succeeding cycle of operation of the machine. I therefore arrange the mold-releasing devices to be operated by mechanism forming part of the mold-filling appliances in order that there may be no delay between the cessation of operation of the mold-moving devices and the renewal of operation. of the mold-filling devices.

In the drawings, 165 indicates a hook pivoted at a suitable point inthe frame and having its nose 166 arranged when lowered to stand immediately below the position occupied by the lip 132 on the cross-head 130 of the mold positioned to be opened. The hook 165 is provided with an upwardlyextending arm 167, to which is secured a crossbar 168, which is adapted to stand in the path of movement of the rack-bars 77 for the feed-supplying devices, so that when struck by said rack-bars in their reciprocation the board is guided inward by the wall 151 until 1 hook 165 is drawn upwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, pulling upon the lip 132 of the crossheed of the mold to open the mold, as heretofore described. For normally holding the cross-bar 168 out of the way of the rockbers 77 1 preferably provide a gravity-latch 169, arranged to engage the upwardly-extending arm 167 of the hook to hold it in reermost position when it is moved to such position, as illustrated in Fig. 2. hen in such a latched position, the hook is inoperative; but the latch 169 is arranged for movement to hook-releasing position by instrumentelities operotively connected with the power-changing lever 100.

In the drawings, 170 indicates e lever ex tending transversely across the front of the machine, pivoted ot the right side of the mechine, possing under the latch 169 end at its opposite ends connected by e link 171 with one extremity of o lever 172, which is pivoted between its ends, as at 173, end

has connected thereto between the pivot point and the link 171 2. link 1741, heving its upper end attached tothe lever 100. Thus when the lever 100 is elevated the latchreleasing lever 170 is likewise'elevoted to knock the latch 169 out of erge ement with the hook, permitting s;id hook to descend to operating position. To the lever 17 at its end opposite the connection of link 171, is connected it link 175, st its opposite extremity secured to o trsnsverse lever 176, which, as best illustreted in Fig. 5, is provided with a notch 177, which when the lever is raised is engaged by at block 178, cerried by the mold-corrying lesf 115 of the mold-table, to prevent rotation of the mold beyond its proper position to be filled.

The initial connection-restoring deoiccs. It will be apparent that when the "filled mold is properly positioned to be opened and on empty mold stands in filling position the subcycle of operotions of the mold-changing devices is completed and the machine ready for the restorotion of the power connections initially estoblished. To provide for such restoration, I arran e upon the geztr-wheel 111, which moves the mold-carry ing shaft 112, two segmentel ccms 180, (see Figs. 9 and 25,) 611Gb of which is so shaped end positioned thot just ot the termin tion of a hellrevolution of the mold-cerr 1g toble such com completes the elevation end permits the subsequent descent of e conteet-shoe 181 of a transverse lever 181, (see Fig. 4,) to the outer end of which lever is connected it link 182, extending up along the right side of the machine into engagement with it slide 183, which cerries on its inner face o projection 184. The slide 183 coocts with it suitable guide structure 185, heving its face toword the slide 183 open, save where szid fece is treversed by it fixed relessing-ber 186, Fig. 23. In on internal tmek in the guide 185 works it reciprocating piste 187, in a suitable aperture wherein is pivoted o lotch member 188, normally pressed by a. spring 199 toward the open face of the guide 185, so that when out of engagement with releLsing-b 186 its nose stands in the piith of des of the proj ction 184 from the exterior slide 183. To the plote 187 is connected it link 190, to the upper extremity whereof is pivoted e t nnsverse lever 1.91, 6X1101'2.(l13".g e oss the machine end pivoted cs at 1.92, so tout it central portion of the lever overlies the nose 106 of the latch member 104, heretofore described, {LS best illustrated in Fig. 4. ld lnle the mold-changing devices are in operation the sliding latch 188 of the conaecti' irrestoring devices stands eleveted, show .in dotted lines in. Fig. 23, while the (iXllGl'lJl sliding memb or 183 stands at its lower limit of its stroke, as shown in full lines in said figure. Now it will be understood that when the sub cycle of open-tion. of the n'iold-movi: devices nears completion the lever 181 is eleveted by one of the coins 180 lift -:.g the slide member 183 to the position snown in. dotted lines in Fig. 23, and just as the subcycle of operations is completed the com 80 plssirg from uider shoe 181 reloises the lever 181, permits the some to drop under the influence of gravity, pulling down the slide 183, the projection 184 whereof new engages the nose of the lit ch 188, so d111 g down the lever 190 end its co cted prrts until the ports resch the posit full lines in Fig. 23, when the h ch, strikiwg the relensing-bor 186 of the stritionitiw guide, is pushed over to (liseng ge the proje 84 of the slide and permit subsequent restore.- tion of the plate 187 end lstch 188 to r xised position when the clutches are next shifted to reizpply power to the mold-moving devices. The downward pullupon the link 190, con...eeted with the plote 187 under the coo.- ditions ebove described, depresses lever 191, which sets upon the forwsrdly-projecting nose 106 of the latch structure 104, hcretofore described, tending to tilt such l..11(l1 structure to throw its elorgoted crm owl from the rock-leer 52. As heretofore described, the possible movement of the lutrh structure 104 in such direction is extremely limited. by the provision of the squsiired lower shoulder and cooctiiig squared fore on the lever 103 and structure 104, so that (18 soon as slid structure 104 binds upon its 11511 103 the nose 106 serves as e rigid stop on s id her 103, enobling the lever 191 to depress the lever 1.03, thereby, through the connection 102, depressing the elongated lever 100 on the left side of the machine. This depression of the lever 100 performs three functions. Through its connections 99 98 97 and (nUlIC'lP actuating lever 95 it shifts the clutches 37 end 39 to cause clutch 39 to ope/rote and discble clutch 37. Through. its connections 174v 172, end 171 it depresses the lever 170, allowlOO ing the latch 169 to drop to'position for engagement with the hook 165, and through the connections of lever 172 by link 175 with lever 176 it elevates the latter lever so that its notch 177 (see Fig. 5) is interposed in the wav of the stop 178 upon the mold-carrying leaf of the mold-table to positivelv prevent the momentum of said mold-table from car- IYlllg it past proper position and to relieve the strain on the shafts and gears.

The operation of the machine-JVhile I have heretofore described the functional operations of some of the individual parts and subcombinations of the machine, 1 will now give a general description of its complete operation. Assuming the parts to stand in the postion illustrated in Fig. 1, wth the clutch 39 in operation and the clutch 37 disabled, ro tation of the power-shaft 31 supplies power to cam-shafts 41 and 42, rotating the earns 43, 60, 93, and 92. The cam 43 for a succeeding period produces no effect, as the termnal portion of its periphery is concentric ;-but during this time the cam 92, which is started in operation just before the parts reached the position shown in Fig. 1., presses its connection 90 rearwardl g, actuating rackbars 87 to transmitmotion through the segment 84 to the rack-bars 77, carrying the slide .74 of the feed mechanism. As the rackbars move toward the rear of the machine. the drawer member is held stationar by the latch 81 until the pins 79 complete their traverse of the slot 80 in the drawer, when the front corners of the rack-bar flanges 78, striking the levers 32, lift the latch 81 to release the drawer structure 73, and at the same time the pins 79, striking the front end of the slots 80, connect the slide and drawer structure for movement together to forwardmost postlon. At the instant that the drawer having the bottom of its pocket 75 now closed by; the slide 74 reaches postion above the feed-mouth 72 over the mold the latch 81 drops in front of the drawer structure 73, the cam 92 ceases to operate, and cam 93 commences to act, driving the mechan. sm for operatng the feed-drawer in the opposte direction. Traveling in such forward direction the slide 74 again moves first, while the drawer is held by latchng member 81 until the slide member has completel uncovered the drawer, allowing the mater; al contajned in the pocket 75 to drop into the mold in a manner to secure even distribution thereof. As the slide completes its opening of the drawer the latch 81 is released, permitting the drawer to move back to intial position. Just as th. s operation is completed the term. nal elevated portion of the cam 43 passes from under the prime rack-bar 44, and at the same time the deflected portion of the track 61 operates upon pins 59 of clutchoperating lever 57. In consequence just as the primary rack-bar is permitted to drop back to its lowest position the clutch 49, Fig. 24, is opened, breaking the operative connection between the primary rack-bar and the secondary rack-bar and perm;tting the ele-.

operatrve connections beng a an afforded between the primary rack-bar and the secondary rack-bar, so that the secondary rack-bar is picked up at whatever point its motion ma] have stopped, so that its subsequent elevation, due to the acton of the camwheel 43 upon the primer. rack-bar, is of predetermned extent irrespective of the cond.tion of the mold. Thus tln'oughout every portion of the mold the material is evenly tamped, so that at each tamping operation the maximum elevation of the tamperbar is higher with respect to the stationary parts of the machfne. Now the scroll portion of the cam 43 acts upon the primary rack-bar and serves to elevate the tamper, and just before the elevation of the tamper is completed the operation of the feeding device is commenced to feed subsequent measured quantity of material to the mold.

var mg the power connections and the like.

Through the elevation of lever 103, as de scribed, the elongated lever 100 is lifted, and through its Lnk-and-lever connectcns w-th the rear end of the machine, operates the belt crank slnpper-lever 95 to open the clutch 39 and close the clutcn 37, as heretofore described, thereby disabling the feeding and tamper mechanism and throwing into operation the mold-moving mechanism. The same movement of the lever 100 elevates the forward end of lever 172, thereby lifting the releasinglever 170 of the hook-latch 169 and allowing the hook to drop to lowest posi tion, and the same movement of the lever 172 depresses its rear end, which acts through link 1 75 upon the mold-positioning lever 176,witl1- drawing its hook 177, Fig. 5,f 'om engagement with the stop-block upon the leaf of the moldcari'ying table and freeing the mold-carrying table for rotation. Now power applied from the driving-shaft 31 to the clutch 37 operates through the gearing connections to rotate the mold-table 113 and the blockreceiving table 155. As the shaft 112 is rotated' the disk 114 closes the feed-mouth 72, so that no surplus material therein may fall therefrom, and the leaf 115 of the table 113, carrying the filled mold, is allowed to drop to perpendicular position, and as the table completes a half-revolution this filled mold is positioned directly above one of the block-receiving platforms 159 and, with the lip 132 of the sliding cross-head of the moldoperating devices, is brought into engagement with the hook 165. in the position shown in Fig. 3. During the same half-revolution the previously-open mold is slowly brought upon its table into vertical position when at the right side of the machine, having snapped thereinto its pallet-board in the manner heretofore described in detail, and as the table reaches horizontal position having its wings closed by the contact of the cross-head 130 with the flange 112 of the mold-table shaft. As this subcycle of op eration is being completed the cam 1.80 upon the gear 11, which rotates the moldtable, acts through the lever and link 181 182 the latch devices connected therewith and the lovers 190 191 upon the nose 1060f the latch device 104, heretofore described, thereby depressing the lever 1.03 and with it the elongated lever 100. This operation,

the reverse of the elevating operation heretofore described, obviously results in a restoration of the original power connections through the disabling of clutch 37 and the connection of the elements of clutch 39, at the same time throwing into operative position the mold-table-ehecking lever 176 and dropping the hook-latch-releasing lever 170. It Will be remembered the originally-mentioned operation of the power connection varying devices occurred just as the cam 13 through its gearing connection elevated the tamper to almost its highest point. Thus it inevitably occurs that such change of power connection takes place after the rack-bars 77 have been moved slightly toward their rearmost position, usually when the rack-bars stand in about a position shown in Fig. 1-. Now upon the restoration of the operative connection between the feeding devices and the powenshaft the rack-bars complete their rearward stroke and then swing forward, at the limit of their forward movement striking the cross-piece 168 of the hook 165, moving the crosspiece 168 back to be latched by latch 169 and fore ibly lifting the hook proper, which pulls upwardly the cross-head 130 upon the now vertically-disposed stud 131 of the mold, opening the mold in the manner heretofore specifically described. The mold block,

thus feed, is deposited with its pallet-board upon one of the platforms 159, which yields easily against the tension of its check 161, lowering the block out of the way of. the

mold to the position shown in full lines in Fig- 2, so that upon thev neXt succeeding movement of the mold-changing devices the complete block is carried around to the front of the machine to belifted oil.

While I have herein described in some detail a specific embodiment of my invention for purposes. of a full disclosure, it will be apparent that numerous changes in the mechanical construction might be readily evolved by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thusdescrib ed my invention, wha t I claim, and desire to secure by Letteis latentofthe United States, is

1. In a machineof the character described, the combination ofa mold, a tamper, a constantly-running power-shaft, a gearing connection between the. tamper and the powershaft, including a releasable element, and means for automatically operating said releasable element in timed relation to a rotation of the shaft.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a tamper, a can stantly-running power-shaft, operating connection between said' power-shaft and. the tamper, including a releasable element, and means operatively associated with the powershaft for timing the operation of said releasable element.

3. Ina machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a tamper, a constantly-rmming powenshaft, operating connection between said shaft and. the tamper including a clutch, and a clutch-operating cam on the power-shaft.

4. In a machine of'the character described, the combination of a tamper, a coi'istantlyrunning power-shaft, a cam thereon, a primary rackbar controlled by said cam, a secondary rack-bar, a tamper carried by the secondai y rack-bar, gearing connections between said rack-bars, including a releasable element, and means for automatically operating said releasable element to sever the operating connection l;etween the rack-brs.

5. In a machineof the character dcseri. the combination of a tamper, a constantlyrunning power-shaft, a cam thereon, a pri mary rack-bar operated by said cam, a sec ondary rack-bar, gearing connections between said rack-bais including a clutch, and means for automatically operating said clutch in timed relation to said cam.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a lLL111]j)G1 coaeting therewith, means for securing the elevation and descent of the tamper, a matenal- I reservoir, and means for conveying mate. ial

from the reservoir to the mold and evenly the combination of a mold, a tamper coacting therewith, means for securing the elevation and descent of the tamper, a materialreservoir, a drawer for conveying measured quantities of material from the reservoir to the mold, means for actuating said drawer in proper timed relation to the tamper, and means for evenly distributing the material from the drawer into the mold.

. 8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a tamper, means for securing the elevation and descent of the tamper, material-supply devices for the mold comprising a sliding drawer, means for distributing the material from said drawer into the mold comprising a slide movable to close or open the drawer-bottom, and means for actuating said drawer and slide, timed in relation to the movement of the tamper.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a material-reservoir, a drawer, a slide forming a movable bottom for said drawer, means for moving said drawer and slide together above the mold and returning the slide in advance of the drawer.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a mold, of material-supply devices comprising a drawer, a slide with lost-motion connection with said drawer, means for moving the slide into and out of register with the drawer and mold, and means for holding the drawer against movement during predetermined portions of each movement of the slide.

11. In a machine of the character described the combination of a mold, a rotary carrier therefor, a feed-mouth wherethrough material may be fed to'the mold, and a part apertured at the mold'and rotatable with the mold-carrier, for closing said feed-mouth when the mold is removed from register therewith.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, a carrier therefor, rotatable on a vertical axis, a horizontal feed-mouth, and an apertured disk rotatable with the carrier for closing said feed-mouth when the mold is out o register therewith.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a mold movable into and out of position to be filled, mold-filling devices, and means, timed in operation by the mold-filling devices, for removing the mold from filling position when properly filled.

14. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of molds, a carrier therefor, a mold-filling means, and means timed in relation to the mold-filling means, for operating the carrier to remove the filled mold and substitute another.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a closable mold,

means for filling and tamping said mold, and means, timed by the mold-filling means, for automatically opening said mold when properlyfilled.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a mold arranged to be opened, of means for filling and tamping said mold, and means, timed by the mold-filling means, for successively opening and closing said mold.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a mold adapted to be opened, of means for filling said mold, and means timed by said mold-filling means for removing said mold from filling position and opening the mold, and subsequently restoring said mold to filling position in closed condition.

18. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a tamper, means for intermittently feeding material to the mold, and means for actuating said feeding means and tamper to successively supply to tie mold a plurality of relatively small charges of material and tamp each charge tli erein.

19. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a tamper, means for intermittently feeding small bodies of material to the mold and distributing each evenly therein, and means for actuating the tamper after each such feeding and distribution of material to the mold.

20. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a tamper adapted to substantially fill the material-containing space of the mold, means for intermittently feeding relatively small bodies of material to tle mold, means for distributing each body evenly throughout the material-containing space of the mold, and means for actuating the tamper to tamp each body of material in the mold after its distribution therein.

21. In a machine of the character described, a mold, mold-filling means comprising a means for feeding material to the mold, a tamper and means for actuating said feeding means and tamper to supply a succession of small charges to the mold and tamp each thereof therein, and means for removing the mold from filling position timed by the moldfilling means.

22. In a machine of the character described, a mold mounted for rotation about a vertical axis extraneous to the mold, a ma terial-reservoir, mold-filling means comprising means for conveying material from the reservoir to the mold, a vertically-reciprocating tamper, and means for alternatively operating the material-conveying means and tamper to supply to and tamp in the mold a succession of charges of material combined with means for rotating the mold on its vertical axis, timed by the mold-filling means.

23. In a machine of the character described, a mold, mold-filling devices, means IIO for moving the mold to and from filling posi- 1 tion, means for supplying power to saidi mold filling and moving means, means for connecting said mold-filling devices with the means of power-supply controlled by the mold-moving devices, and means for connecting said mold-moving devices with the means of power-supply controlled by the mold-filling devices.

24. In a machine of the character described, a power-shaft, a mold, mold-filling devices, a clutch for connectin said moldfilling devices with the powersnaft, means for removing said mold from association with the filling devices, a clutch for connecting said removing means with the powershaft, means controlled by the filling devices for actuating the second said clutch, and means controlled by the mold-removing means for actuating the first said clutch.

25. In a machine of the character described, power appliances, a mold, mold-fill ing devices, a clutch for connecting the in oldfilling devices with the power appliances, means for removing said. molds from association with the filling devices, a clutch for connecting said removing means with the power appliances, a common operating device for said clutches arranged to alternately actuate the clutches, means associated with the moldfilling devices for moving said clutch-actuating devices to connect one clutch, and controlled by the mold-removing devices for ac tuating the other clutch.

26. In a machine of the character described, a power-shaft, a tamper, vertically reciprocable means for connecting said tamper with the power-shaft including a reversible element, and means for operating the reversible element to permit the free descent of the tamper, and insure its subsequent elevation a predetermined distance above the terminal point of its previous stroke, a mold, mold-moving means, moldfilling means, clutches for connecting the mold-filling and mold-moving means with the power-shaft, means for automatically actuating said clutches to disable one while the other is operating, said means comprising a lever, a latch carried by said lever cooperating with a part movable with the tamper to operatively move the lever when the mold is filled, and means, associated with the mold-moving devices for actuating the lever when the mold-moving devices have completed their functional operation.

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a mold, movable about a vertical axis from filling to discharging position, and hinged on a horizon tal axis for oscillation from normal position to a position at an angle thereto, with means for moving the mold about its vertical axis,

and means controlling the oscillation of the mold on its horizontal axis, timed to admit of such movement in proper timed relation H) its rotation on its vertical axis.

28. In machine of the character described, the combination of a mold adapted to be opened or closed, mounted for revolution about a vertical axis to be moved to and from filling position, block-receiving means out of vertical alinement with the mold-tilt ing position, means for revolving the mold about its vertical axis, and means for controlling the opening and closing of the mold, for automatically opening the mold in discharging position and closing the same during its return to filling position.

29. In a machine of the character described, mold filling and tan'iping devices, a shaft, a table carried by said shaft having pivoted liaves, molds carried by said leaves movable by rotation of the shaft into operie tive association with. the mold filling and tamping devices, a means for guiding the mold-carrying leaves, from one plane assumed when in filling position to a plane at an angle thereto in discharging position.

30. In a machine of the character de scribed, mold-filling devices, mold-carrying devices comprising a rotatable table having pivoted leaves, molds carried upon. said leaves, and means for raising each leaf to position the mold to be filled and lowering said leaf to position in mold to be en'iptied.

31. In a machine of the character described, mold-lilling devices, including a vertically-reciprocable member, a rotary moldtable provided with a hinged leaf, means for guiding said leaf from horizontal position. in alinement with the reciprocable member of the mold-filling devices, to a vertical position remote from the first said position, and a mold, carried by said leaf arranged to deposit its contents from the side which. is downward when the table-leaf is in vertical position remote from filling position.

32. In a machine of the character described, a mold provided with hinged. wings and a reciprocable head for pivotally moving said wings to open and close the mold, a retatable table provided with a hinged leaf whereon a mold is mounted, with the free edges of the wing at right angles to the plz'uie of the leaf at the side remote from the axis of rotation, means for rotating the table and means for guiding the leaf, during the rotation of the table from horizontal position at the point where the mold is filled, to a vertical position at a point remote therefrom.

33. A mold of the character described, provided with pivoted. wings, forming faces of the mold, and means for simultaneously adjusting the pivotal axes of the wings toward and from each other.

34. In a machine of the character described, a movable mold having pivoted wings, a shaft carrying said mold to and from filling position, and means for moving the 

